Remote control system



Dec. 23, 1969 as. RATHBUN REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 26, 1967 mm E T (b om mw m FW V E U0 S N N 8 2 R O B n a m M A W G A Y F 0 2 2 8 lllll 4 w E w E R o L m w 2 MWUS EN W LE TO 8 FR 0 P llll ll 0 T 9 L O w L m L 34 R R I mm-- Mm mm f m mu w w T l C 8 I I lllllll [IL United States Patent U.S. Cl. 31754 10 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A remote control system having a central control station and a plurality of remote stations. Each remote station has a mechanical device to be actuated from the central control station. Two pairs of communication lines connect each remote station to the control station, one pair having in series therewith a source of low-powered direct current at the control station and having an outgoing line leading from that source to a first condenser at the remote station and a return line to the source. The second pair has at the control station a pair of normally open push-button switches, each connected to the return line and at the remote station has a pair of relay coils, each connected to the outgoing line between the source and the first condenser. Each relay coil controls a first normally open relay switch and a second normally closed relay switch. A pair of solenoid valves at each remote station have solenoids with a permanent magnet of the type operating on the flux-reversal principle and having three poles. The first pole is connected to one relay coil through that coils normally open first switch and through a second condenser in series with the first switch. The second pole is connected to the return line, and the third pole is bypassed to the first switch around the second condenser by way of the second switch of the same relay coil. A source of fluid pressure at each remote station is connected to the valve of both solenoid valves, and a fluid-pressure cylinder and piston combination at each remote station operate the mechanical device by movement of the piston; the cylinder has a fluid fitting adjacent each end for application of pressure to move the piston in two opposite directions, one fitting being connected to one solenoid valve and the other fitting to the other solenoid valve.

This invention relates to a remote control device for controlling a mechanical motion at a station remote from a control station, the two stations being connected only by communication-type lines.

The invention has many aspects and uses. For example, it may be used to operate a railroad switch, a railroad semaphore, a gate at a dam, or a lock at a canal. It may be used to regulate valves in various strategic locations in a network of pipes conveying natural gas from wells throughout a remotely located gas field. One important use of the invention, which will be explained in detail as a specific example, is the opening and closing of highvoltage disconnect switches in a metropolitan underground radial power distribution network.

Metropolitan underground radial power distribution networks currently have a large number of manholes scattered throughout the city, and at each manhole there is a high-voltage disconnect switch controlling several blocks of the city system. Each sector of the system has many of these disconnect switches under the control of one large main circuit breaker. When a main circuit breaker is thrown by a circuit fault somewhere beyond it, an entire section of the city is plunged into darkness and is without power. The conventional system for restoring power and light to that section is a time-consuming process, often taking several hours to complete. A team of 3,486,074 Patented Dec. 23, 1969 men has to go to each manhole and manually reconnect the disconnect switch there and notify someone at central control, and then at central control the circuit breaker is closed to test whether that particular circui was the one Where the trouble lay or whether it can be left in service. One at a time, the various manholes are gone to and their disconnect switches operated. Each one takes several minutes just to get to and to test, because of their distance from each other as well as from the central control place. Even with several teams at work, many areas of a city which have not actually had any trouble are kept in darkness until, one by one, it is determined that they are not trouble areas. So it not only takes a while to isolate or locate the trouble area but it also takes time to restore service to areas where there was no trouble, even after the trouble area has been identified. The main difiiculty is the necessity to close the disconnect switches manually, which means that workers actually must go to each manhole and physically throw the very large switches that are involved.

These disconnect switches, it should be noted, are nothing like ordinary house switches. They are massive and take up most of the room available in their part of the manhole, and consequently to operate them from a remote location requires a significant amount of standby power convertible to mechanical power. 2 In the present invention, remote control is obtained through two pairs of telephone lines and low power, such as is available from a storage or dry cell battery, by using it to control a pneumatic or hydraulic device through a novel circuit. In this manner, the metropolitan system of disconnect switches can be controlled and reclosed and tested by one man, and large sections of the city can be restored to service in a matter of a few minutes, all through the remote control system of this invention.

The invention includes the use of solenoid valves having a permanent magnet which is controlled by the flux reversal principle. These particular solenoid valves are used to control fluid lines which supply the standby power needed to close the large disconnect switches or to re-open them or, in other systems where this invention is employed, to operate whatever mechanical or other device is concerned, whether this be an electrical power system or a gas field operation or any other system where mechanical devices are controlled.

A characteristic of this invention is its use of communication lines in connection with a system of condensers at the remote station and a small battery or rectifier at the control station which is used to keep one of the condensers charged, so applied to the solenoidcontrolling permanent magnets (of the flux-reversal type) that the system operates with a minimum of power and does not consume power in any way comparable to that of the main system itself.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description of some preferred embodiments.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a circuit embodying the principles of the invention in which a control station is shown connected to a remote control station, which in this instance is assumed to be a manhole with a large disconnect switch in a metropolitan supply system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the circuit of FIG. 1, showing some of the principal parts thereof.

FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram of a large electrical power distribution system having a series of locations, each with a large disconnect switch, the whole series being controlled by one circuit breaker and controlled for re-connection after opening by the remote control system of this invention.

as may be-used-for operating the valves in the pipes in anoil field or gas field.

Referring to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the invention calls for a control station 9, which is connected by four wires 11, 12, 13, and 14 to a signal converter 15. at the remote station 10.. The converter. 15 is, in turn, connected-by a pipe 16 to a source 17 of fluid pressure and, in turn, by pipes 18 and 19 to a mechanical actuator 20. The actuator 20 operates a mechanical linkage 21 that operates a mechanical device 22, which in this example may be the disconnect switch in the power distribution network or the valve in a pipeline system. Note that only the four wires 11, 12, 13, and .14 connect the control station 9.to the remote station 10. These may be telephone-type lines. t

The control: station 9 includes a low-wattage power source and is provided with a push button for sending a signal to the signal converter-15. The signal converter 15 converts this electrical signal to valve action ina fluid circuit so that the source 17 of fluid pressure (which maybe a gas storage container or a pipeline under pressure) then sends its fluid signal via the converter 15 to the actuator 20 and controls the device 22 Turning now to FIG. 1, it will be seen that the control station 9 is provided with a battery 25, such as an ordinary dry cell or a storage battery or any other source of direct current, including a rectifier in an A-C circuit, and witha pair of normally open push-button switches 26 and 27. The battery 25 is connected across the lines 11 and 12. One push-button switch 26 is connected to the lead 13 and the other push-button switch 27 is connected to the lead 14, and each of the two push-button switches 26 and 27 are connected to the line 11 by respective leads 28 and 29.

At the remote station 10 are two relay coils 31 and 32. The lead 13 goes from the switch 26 to one end of the relay coil 31, and the lead 14 goes from the switch 27 to open end of the relay coil 32. The other ends of the relay coils 31 and 32 are connected together by a lead 33, which is also connected to the plus line 12 from the battery 25. The line 12 is connected to one side of a condenser 34, and the other side of the condenser 34 is connected to a line 35 which is also connected to the terminal end of the line 11 leading back to the negative side of the'battery 25 at the control station 9, so that the condenser 34 is normally charged.

The. line 35 is divided into. two branches 36 and 37. One branch 36 goes to a terminal 38 on a solenoid 40, while the other branch goes to a terminal 39 on a solenoid 41. Both of the solenoids'40 and 41 have permanent magnets that operate on the flux-reversal principle. A terminal 42 from the solenoid is connected by a lead 43 througha condenser 44 and a normally open switch 45 to the line 12. Correspondingly, a terminal 46 on the solenoid 41 is connected by a lead 47 through a condenser 48 and a normally open switch 49 to the line 12. The switch 45 is closed upon energization of the .relay coil 31, i.e., upon closure of the push-button switch 26, while the switch 49 is closed upon energization of the relay coil 32, i.e., by the closure of the push-button switch 27. A center tap 50 of the solenoid .40 goes around the condenser 44 by a lead 51 and normally closed relaya hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder 64 (the mechanical actuator 20)" and the other valve 61 is connected by a pipe controlled switch 52, while a center tap 53 of the solenoid 41 goes around the condenser 48 by a lead 54 and a normally closed relay-controlled switch 55. The switch 52 is opened upon energization of the relay coil 31, while the switch 55 is opened upon energization of the relay coil'32.

The source 17 of fluid pressure may be a public water supply or may be-a bottle of gas under pressure or any other adequate and convenient type of pressure source. It is connected by a pipeline 59 to a three-position'valve 60 controlled by the solenoid and also to a three-position valve 61.controlled by the solenoid 41. The valve 60 is connected by a fluid line 62 to a fitting 63 at one end of 65 to a fitting 66 at the other end of the fluid cylinder 64. The cylinder 64 has a piston 67 with a rod 68 which actually moves the device 22. A return line 69 from both of the two valves, 60 and; 61 leads to a vent (for gas or air) or to a disposing pipe ;(for liquid) which may lead to a sewer or to atmosphere, depending on whether liquid or gaseous pressure is-ebeing-used. A-pneumatic motor may replace the cylinder 64, if desired. 7

' The power supply 25 is continuously connected to the capacitor 34 to maintain the capacitor 34 in a normally continuously charged condition. When it is desired to operate the device 22 by means of the mechanical actuator 20, one of the push buttons 26 or 27 is pressed; the button 26 maybe used to close the disconnect switch 22, and the other button 27 may be used to open the switch 22. When the button 26. is pressed, for ekamplmpotential from the power supply 25 is impressed upon the relay coil 31, therebyclosing the normally open switch 45 and opening the normally closed switch 52. Thus the charge or potential from the capacitor 34 is then applied across the solenoid coil terminals 38 and 42, and the three-way valve 60 opens ,so that fiuid flows from the source 17 to the port 63 of the cylinder 64. As a result, the piston 67 moves, and the rod 68 actuates the switch 22. At the same time, the potential of the capacitor 34 is applied across the capacitor 44 to charge it. Whenthe push button 26 is released, the potential from the power supply 25 is removed from the relay coil 31, so that the switch 45 opens and the switch 52 again closes. This then applies the potential from the capacitor 44 across the terminals 42 and 50 of the solenoid coil 40 which, in turn, causes the valve 60 to close between the source 17 of fluid pressure and the cylinder 64 and to open between the pipe 62 and the exhaust line 69. At the same time, the power supply 25 acts to recharge the capacitor 34 and prepare it for another operation. For example, it may then be desired to reopen the switch 22, and all that need be done is to move the other push button 27, and its circuit will operate in the same manner as that just described. The circuit can be operated as often as desired, allowing only enough time between operations for the capacitor 34 to be recharged.

To understand how the operator at a control station can restore power to most of a city quickly, consider FIG. 3. The central control station 9 is shown connected by a series of cables 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, and 77 (each cable having the four lines 11, 12, 13, and 14 as shown in FIG. 1) to a corresponding series of remote stations 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, and 87 (each correspondingto the station 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2), each station having a disconnect switch 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, and 97 which connects it to some subordinate switches or to a load 101, 102, 104, 106, and 107.

A main power source 98 sends power through amain line 99 having a main circuit breaker 100, beyond which the main line 99 is subdivided into lines 110. and 111 controlled by switches and 93. From the switch 90 goes a line 112 which is subdivided into line 113 (to the switch 91) and line 114 (to the switch 92). A line 115 connects the switch 91 to the load 101; while a line 116 connects the switch 92 to the load 102. From the switch 93 goes a line 120 with a branch 121 to the switch 94, and a branch 122 to the switch 95. A line 123 goes from the switch 94 to the load 104. A line- 124 from the switch 95 is subdivided into line 125 to the switch 96 and a line 126 to the switch 97. A line 127 connects the switch 96 to the load 106, and a line 128 connects the switch 97 to the load 107. 1

During normal operation all the switches 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, and 97 will be closed and the circuit breaker 100 will be closed. When a series fault occurs, such as at point X in the line 115, the main circuit breaker 100 opens automatically, and this part of the city is plunged into darkness.

In the prior art practice, in order to find the location of the fault X in the line 115, service crews were sent to the switches 90 and 93, located in subterranean vaults at some distance from one another. One of these switches, say the switch 90, was closed by the service crew, who had to make entry into its suberranean vault, close the switch 90, then exit from the vault (for safety reasons) and communicate with the central control station 9, which caused the circuit breaker 100 to close. Inasmuch as the fault at the point X still existed, the circuit breaker 100 would automatically open at once. The service crew at the switch 93 was then instructed to close that switch, and service crews were dispatched to switches 91 and 92. One of these switches, say the switch 91,was manually closed by the service crew entering the vault. When they had removed themselves from the vault and when the service crew at the switch 93 had removed themselves from the vault, they so advised the central control station, and the breaker 100 was again closed. Inasmuch as the fault at point X still existed, the circuit breaker again automatically opened. By a process of elimination, it was finally learned that the fault was in the line 115. The service crew would then be advised to open the switch 91 and to close the switch 92. When they completed these operations, the central control station was again advised, and the circuit breaker 100 was closed. Inasmuch as the fault at X was now disconnected, because the switch .91 was open, the circuit breaker 100 would stay closed and service be restored to all of the loads 102, 104, 106, and 107. The load 101 would remain out of service until the fault X was repaired, whereupon service would be restored by closing the switch 91.

In the remote control system of this invention, the entire above operation may be performed from the central control station by operating the push button 26 to close and the push button 27 to open each of the various switches 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, and 97. The result is a great saving in time to store service to the various loads not directly associated with the fault at the point X. Additionally, there is a great saving in man-hours of service crews and equipment.

The system shown in FIG. 4 is applied to a fluid control system in which there are a series of gas wells 150, 151, 152, and 153, instead of electrical switches. The same principle is used, of course, and the system works in the same manner. Here, there are, instead of electrical switches, pipeline control valves 160, 161, 162, and 163 each operated by a cylinder 64 to control the gas flow from the wells 150, 151, 152, and 153 through a pipe line 155. In each instance, the system is substantially that shown in FIG. 1, and low power cables 170, 171, 172, 173 to remote stations 180, 181, 182, and 183 are used to operate the valves 160, 161, 162, 163 in the same manner.

In this example, fluid pressure to operate the valves is obtained from the gas line itself.

The valves 180, 181, 182, 183 may be operated as full on/full off valves and may be set in a position between open and close. This is accomplished by successive depression of push button 26 for the number of steps, as predetermined by design of the ratchet and valve to close the valve to the proportionate position between full open and full closed, as desired.

In this variation, an indicator feedback circuit of a readily available and conventional type may be used to indicate at the central control station the actual position of the valve.

To those skilled in the art to which this invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

I claim:

1. In a remote control system having a central control station and a plurality of remote stations, each with a mechanical device to be actuated from said control station, the combination of:

a plurality of communication lines connecting each said remote station to said control station,

a pair of communication lines having in series therewith a source of low-powered direct current at said control station and having an outgoing line leading from said source to a first condenser at said remote station and a return line to said source,

At least one other communication line having at said control station a normally open push-button switch connected to said return line and having at said remote station a relay coil connected to said outgoing line between said source and said first condenser,

each said relay coil controlling a first normally open relay switch and a second normally closed relay switch,

at least one solenoid valve at each said remote station, each having a solenoid with a permanent magnet of the type operating on the flux-reversal principle and having three poles, a first pole connected to a said relay coil through that coils normally open first switch and through a second condenser in series with said first switch, a second pole connected to said return line, and a third pole bypassed to said first switch around said second condenser by way of said second switch of the same said relay coil,

a source of fluid pressure at each said remote station connected to the valve of said solenoid valve,

a fluid-pressure cylinder and piston combination at each said remote station for operating said mechanical device by movement of said piston, said cylinder having a fluid fitting for application of pressure to move said piston and connected to said solenoid valve.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said source of direct current is a battery.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said source of fluid pressure constitutes a pipeline containing a fluid under pressure.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein said pipeline is part of a public water supply.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said source of fluid pressure constitutes a pressure vessel containing a gas under pressure.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein there are two said solenoid valves, each connected to a separate fitting at opposite extremities of said cylinder, and wherein there are two pairs of communication lines, the first pair as the said pair and the second pair each having a said relay coil, one for each said solenoid valve and connected in the same manner thereto.

7. In an electrical power distribution system having a main circuit breaker and a plurality of widely dispersed control switches that are opened by opening of said circuit breaker and normally remain open upon re-closing of said circuit breaker, each said control switch being at a remote station, a service restoring and checking system including a central control station,

two pairs of communication lines connecting each said remote station to said central control station,

a low powered source of direct current at said control station,

a first condenser at each said remote station, and having a return line to said source,

one said pair of communication lines providing an outgoing line from said source to said first condenser and a return line from the other side of said first condenser to said source.

a pair of normally open push button switches at said control station, one connecting each of the second said pair of communication lines to said return line,

two relay coils at said remote station each connected on one side to said outgoing line between said source and said first condenser and each connected on its other side to a different one of said second pair of communication lines,

each said relay coil controlling a first normally open relay switch and a second normally closed relay switch,

a pair of solenoid-operated valves at each said remote station each having a solenoid with a permanent magnet operating on the flux-reversal principle and having three poles, a first pole connected to one said relay through that relays normally open first switch and through a second condenser in series with said first switch, a second pole connected to said return line, and a third pole bypassed to said first relay switch around said second condenser by way of the said second switch of the same said relay,

a source of fluid pressure at each said remote station connected to both said solenoid-operated valves,

a fluid-pressure cylinder and piston combination at each said remote station, said cylinder having a fluid fitting adjacent each end for application of pressure to move said piston in two opposite directions, one fitting beconnected to one said solenoid-operated valve and the other fitting to the other said solenoid-operated valve, and

a mechanical device for closing said control switch operated by and operatively connected to said piston.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said source of fluid pressure is a bottled gas.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein said source of fluid pressure is a public water supply system.

10. In a remote control system having a central control station and a plurality of remote stations, each with a mechanical device to be actuated from said remote control station, the combination of a plurality of communication lines connecting each said said communication lines also having at said control station at least one normally open switch means connected to said return means and having at said remote station at least one relay means powered by said source of direct current and said first condenser upon closure of said switch means,

each said relay means having a first normally open relay switch and a second normally closed relay switch,

at least one solenoid valve at each said remote station, each having a solenoid with a permanent magnet of the type operating on the flux-reversal principle and having three poles, a first pole connected to a said relay means through that relays normally open first switch and through a second condenser in series with said first switch, a second pole conected to said return means, and a third pole bypassed to said first switch around said second condenser by way of said second switch of the same said relay means,

a source of fluid pressure at each said remote station connected to the valve of each said solenoid valve at said remote station, and

a a fluid-pressure actuated means at each said remote station for operating said mechanical device.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1962 Pickens 317--151 8/1948 Hiehle 317-54 LEE T. HIX, Primary Examiner D. J. HARNISH, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

